Local artists to display works in downtown Warwick windows . . .

WARWICK-It's that time again. From July 9 - 18 downtown Warwick will become an outdoor art gallery. The annual Warwick Summer Arts Festival will again present "Warwick Windows," a collaboration between downtown Warwick businesses and local artists. This will be the third year that this event, which was originally conceived by Elizabeth Reese, will be an integral part of the Art Festival activities. It will also mark the return of the popular "Open Studio Tour," a self-guided tour to the studios of forty local artists during the weekend of July 17-18. To celebrate the return of the "Open Studio Tour," this year's Warwick Windows will feature the art and crafts of the artists in the tour. Organizers Barbara Laurence and Tony Blomfield said that they believe this will be an ideal opportunity to promote the tour and provide downtown Warwick with an exciting preview of the artists and their work. "This just seemed like a win-win for the Festival, downtown Warwick and the Artists Tour," said Blomfield. "We are very excited about this year's Warwick Windows". The event is expected to provide one more reason for visitors to come and enjoy the Warwick experience and to encourage locals to peruse the shop windows during the day or during a summer evening stroll. The participating merchants own shops on Main and West Streets, Railroad Avenue and Mitchell Corners. At the same time, The Gallery at Port of Call, 40 Main St., will also host an exhibition of participating artists' works. A reception is scheduled for Friday, July 9 from 5 - 8pm. All are welcome. Grand opening . . . Warwick Nails, an exclusive professional nail care studio at 13 Main St., Warwick, held its Grand Opening on June 16. The shop, which offers manicures, pedicures and nail art, is open Monday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Appointments can be made by calling 986-1968 but according to manager Tony Nguyen, walk-ins are always welcome. Author & Illustrator Day . . . This Sunday, July 11 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Sugar Loaf Chamber of Commerce will host an "Author and Illustrator Day." Local authors and illustrators will be on hand to answer questions, sign books and demonstrate illustrating methods and techniques. Representatives of Moo Press, a local publisher, will display some of the firm's recent publications. Mark McKenna, an "X-Men" Comics illustrator and author of the Banana-Tail children's series, will also be at the event. The Florida Library and individuals will be selling a variety of new and used books for your summer reading. For additional information call 469-9181. Resignations . . . . . . Min Jae Hong is stepping down as publisher of the Warwick Valley Dispatch. He will pursue his other interests in the advertising business and may continue to assist the Dispatch with its weekly production. "Under Min Jae the paper became livelier and more intellectually stimulating," said Warwick Historian Richard Hull. . . . On Friday June 25, the Board of Directors of WVT Communications, (The Warwick Valley Telephone Co.) accepted the resignation of M. Lynn Pike as its President, CEO, and Director. The Board expressed its appreciation for Pike's service to the Company over the last four and one-half years. Herbert Gareiss, Jr. has been designated as acting president. Gareiss, a director of WVT since 1998, vice president of WVT since 1990, secretary since 2002, is also vice president and director of Warwick Valley Mobile Telephone Company, Inc., Warwick Valley Long Distance Company, Inc, Warwick Valley Networks, Inc. and Hometown Online, Inc. He was assistant secretary and assistant treasurer of WVT from 1980 until 1990. Pike, who joined the company in January 2000, was the sixth president in WVT's 102 year history. He was recently elected to the board of directors of the New York State Telecommunications Association (NYSTA) at its recent annual conference in Syracuse. Based in Albany, NYSTA is a trade association representing the New York telecommunications industry before federal and state lawmakers and regulatory agencies. Pike currently serves as president of the Albert Wisner Public Library Board of Trustees.